Lewes turns the town teal for ovarian cancer awareness

A small group gathered in Lewes’ Zwaanendael Park Aug. 30 to talk about ovarian cancer and attach teal ribbons to poles throughout downtown as part of the Turn the Towns Teal campaign. It’s the fifth consecutive year Lewes is participating. 

Haley Will and a group of women attended the event wearing Fight for Cheri T-shirts, honoring Haley’s mother who lost her battle with ovarian cancer earlier this year. She worked for Beebe Healthcare for 20 years, first in the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program and later as the coordinator of the Domestic Violence Response Team. Haley said she sold 757 shirts and collected more than $1,500. After making more, she sold an additional 37 for $500 more. The money will be donated to deserving charities and causes Haley’s mother was passionate about. Cheri’s wife Nancy was among those who joined Haley at the event. 

Survivor Henri Belcher-Stack, organizer of the event, shared her experience and urged all women to be screened. Dr. Steven Berlin and Dr. Leo Eschbach of Beebe Healthcare also took a few moments to talk about the importance of being screened. Berlin said any symptom that lasts more than a few weeks needs to be checked out.